r/ladderapp

I've been using Ladder for about two years now and have for the most part, loved it. There are some aspects that are making me consider a change:

• Coach Options: Limited options for male coaches (I just prefer a male coach and there are far more female coaches)
• Age and Injury: No options for injuries or age (I'm almost 60 and have arthritis in both shoulders and degenerative disc disease in my lower back, so a lot of the moves I have to swap), and I find myself trying to lift like I'm 25 and then my joints are pissed at me for three days! (My own fault, I know.)
• Mobility and Recovery: There are good mobility and cardio options within the Express workouts, and I'm sure with some of the coaches focused on that, but not built into a holistic program that I have seen (i.e. lift 3 days a week, mobility 2 days a week, cardio 2 days, etc.)
• Full Body Workouts: Not a lot of options for 3 days a week bull body workouts focused on compound movements

So I've been looking around and found something called Persist. I'm guessing the UI and options are nowhere near Ladder, but there are some compelling reasons to check it out.

Anyone here have any experience with that app? Or have some similar challenges as I do? Am I missing something within Ladder that I should try before switching?

Thank you!

hi, I had a break from ladder while I was overseas. I had a coach last year who was really good. I think she had recently had a baby, she was blonde and short. The program was focused on lifting heavy!

If you remember who she was please let me know!

Edit: it was Sam from Team Evolve :)

I’ve been a ladder user on and off for a few years and I absolutely love it. I switch between Ascend and Limitless depending on the series. But I’m repeatedly running into issues with flaring up my chronic rotator cuff issues and seem to now be developing problems with my knees. I’ve seen a a sports medicine doctor and they told me I have hyper mobility and due to that my joints and ligaments are more prone to injury. It’s very frustrating because I can lift heavy, but my joints and ligaments can’t seem to keep up. I struggle with not pushing myself to increase weights and reps and chase PRs like the in ear coaching urges us to do. I often swap out exercises but someone’s all the swap options will also exacerbate my injuries. It’s can just be very frustrating and discouraging to want to follow the program and give it your all and be limited by your body. Has anyone been in a similar position? I’m also wondering if any of the teams are more hypermobility friendly in regard to form cues and swaps.

I have been on Ascend this series, and while I love Aria, I am getting so puffy and my weight won't budge. I was looking at trying either Versa or Limitless during our deload to see if I like it. Has anyone in perimenopause had good results with either or these? I want to be able to use machines, and am open to other suggestions if they are gym based.

Hey Reddit! I’m relatively new to ladder and still trying to find the right team for me. I tried limitless for a bit and loved it, but was really bummed when she removed the athletic conditioning day for another glute day. Made the switch to transform, but again, too glute focused. I’m looking for something more traditional with just one leg day, a couple upper body days, and some cardio. I enjoy doing a day of reformer Pilates on my own outside the app, so I’d even be okay with a team where just the priority workouts are balanced, but I cannot seem to find a team that isn’t trying to add in SO many glute days a week!

I joined Ladder about 2 months ago on Team Thrive and I've enjoyed it for the most part. I am aware that Coach Nairee is no longer with the program, and it is my understanding that her past workouts are being used to continue the program. That being said, I feel a bit in the dark when I see other members talking about "phases" and "open season." I'm just not really sure what any of that means, where to find that information, and if it even applies to me since I'm on Thrive. Additionally, I'm not sure of what benefits I may be missing out on as a member of Thrive with no active coach. Is anyone able to fill me in?

I like the structure of Thrive's workouts, and they are honestly perfect for the space and equipment that I have in my home gym. I guess things have just gotten a little monotonous lately (which isn't a bad thing in terms of building muscle), but I find myself wondering if it is worthwhile to make the switch to a new team, especially since I've been so consistent with Thrive.

Newbie here: My app keeps freezing or even worse, make my entire phone crash. Is there a solve? Maybe I should only use data and not gym wifi?

Signed up a few months ago and there's a message from my coach sitting in my inbox then inviting me to upgrade to "Elite" to DM my coach.

I don't get it, and I am not seeing a lot of feedback or info on the DM with your coach experience, so I'm hoping people who've been here longer can share what happened to them:

Did anyone actually pay for Elite to get the coach DM?

Was it worth it - did your coach actually reply, and how fast? What is the difference with the team chat?

Love to hear your experience, I am pretty sure having a direct chan with the coach could motivate further, but wondering what's behind really.

Does anyone just use the app for workouts and not the nutrition part? I really don’t like obsessing over calorie loss, intake, etc. (big reason why I ditched the Apple Watch). I’ve only done a few workouts and like not having to plan those. Anyone in this same boat or am I just missing the point entirely?

Do we have any idea what the new exercises will be on team Ascend for the new series? I know we got the new split.

I really hope we see some of the exercises back from the summer series!!  I saw so much booty progress during that one and felt like I didn’t have to think as hard to do all the moves even though many were new, and could feel it in the right places therefore got stronger at them quicker vs spending so much time figuring out form, staying at the same weight. I really don’t love the isolated quad and hamstring movements and some of the rear delt moves and so many RDLS since it’s challenging to get the form right in the RDL. I had the same issue with the rear delt moves. I loved the lazy RDL’s, weighted step downs, split squats, back extensions, reverse lunges, Kas your bridge, single leg hip thrusts and single leg presses, even calf raises and all the upper body too! I do love that Bulgarians were added this series! I LOVE Aria, and team Ascend and do want to stick with them but might consider switching depending on what exercises we see. I have also only been on Ladder for about 13 weeks and have been on Ascend the whole time. Any suggestions on the best options?

Is there a way to do a previous series on the app? Or would you basically need to just write it down and do it yourself? TY!!

I (30F) have been on ladder since the start of Reload on team Flourish and have been loving it!! Great community, loving the workouts and Coach Kimmie. But I am considering trying out other teams during open season.

What team do you think would best train for the power, strength and endurance required for a big ski season? (praying for snow)

@letros.fit

Unsure when and what type of team it will be, we’ll see!

Hey all- I am a little overwhelmed with choosing a team. The quiz hasn’t been super helpful- it keeps suggesting a team that I haven’t expressed any interest in.

I’m intermediate level fitness and have access to dumbbells, bands, and a bench. Not much of a runner. Workout length is not an issue.

Edited to add: I’m okay with HIIT, but would prefer no running requirements. I’m also fine with doing cardio on my own outside of the workouts.

I’m not picky about coaching style!

Who do you love?!

I’ve been enjoying Elevate since I love a super fast workout with a not chatty coach. But I’m curious how it differs from Formation. Has anyone tried both for any length of time? Compared results? I’m a Peloton escapee, and I do try to lift heavy within the workout.

Currently been using the app for 4 weeks on team Movewell. I love the workouts and that I can do it at home since we have dumbbells and a small bench. I’m also doing Cto5k on week 4 lol.

I’m finding the split on workouts hard to manage while doing both. Currently doing cardio on Tues, Thurs, & Saturday and have been doing all the workouts in the plan. Now that the intervals for jogging are getting longer, I feel like I need to give my legs more rest.

This is the most consistent I’ve been at working out and doing cardio ever. I’ve been adding flex workouts after the daily ones to get in a longer workout. I’ve done the standing abs, clinch & sculpt and fast arm finisher as a few examples depending on the day.

So do I change my cardio days or do I try a new team in the new strength series?

Can you build a muscular back on align?

I’d love to try Nicole’s guided runs but I run outside and there’s no service available. Is there a way to download and complete a workout without internet access? Thanks!

I’m 34f with a chronic illness that limits my ability to exercise. I’m cleared by my doc to lift but I have to limit my sessions to 2, max 3 days a week. I LOVE Ladder workouts but wonder if it’s worth using the app if I can only workout 2-3 times a week. Anyone have thoughts?

Also, I was doing Align during my free trial but would love thoughts on any other teams (or if Align would be best) that could be friendly for chronic illness. I have a gym membership and some limited home equipment. I have no movement restrictions or anything, just less energy overall and I have to be mindful of overdoing it. Thanks!